Schlegel Villages will not back away from building a $35-million long-term care facility in Windsor regardless of the verdict on its fate by the Ontario Municipal Board.

“We are entirely committed to this project and getting it done for the seniors of this city,” said James Schlegel, the company’s president and CEO. “We will get it done.”

A two-day OMB hearing concluded Wednesday regarding the 256-bed proposal on the grounds of St. Clair College with OMB vice-chairman Steve Stefanko promising to hand down his written decision in four to six weeks.

James Chambers and Walter Pizzolitto, both who reside behind the college in the 4300 block of Ashfield Crescent, appealed to the OMB in opposition of a city of Windsor zoning bylaw change that would allow the development to occur.

They are fighting the project out of fear a proposed 10-storey tower — a later second phase of the Schlegel complex — and two initial four-storey buildings will bring too much traffic, possible flooding to the area, hover over backyards and paves over too much green space.

The OMB fight follows years of controversy for the long-term care project. It initially collapsed due to original developer Lou Vozza’s financial woes on the former Grace Hospital site, then Schlegel’s first property choice across from the Vollmer Complex in LaSalle was determined unsuitable because of poor soil conditions.

Schlegel was to finally begin construction last month on the facility at St. Clair with completion in about 20 months. But that schedule fell by the wayside pending the outcome of the OMB appeal.

“It’s been a project with a history – some that pre-dated us and some we are now contributing to,” Schlegel said. “It’s been frustrating at times this has not moved as quickly as we would like, but we remain optimistic and will persevere through this one way or another.”

Both Chambers and Pizzolittos presented their final arguments Wednesday to Stefanko where they characterized the developer as doing everything it legally can get away with under municipal bylaws, but little to be friendly to its new neighbours.

The fight against the long-term care project is not a case of ‘not in my backyard’ or being an obstructionist, but Schlegel can show more respect to neighbours before final plans are approved, said Chambers during the hearing.

He wants a planned 38-spot staff parking lot moved further away than a metre and a half from his property line and more green space included in the plan.

“We want the facility to be built, but not without a fair attempt to deal with residents,” Chambers said.

He was also concerned of windows over looking his yard. Even though the nearest would be about 40 metres away, Chambers noted he can sit at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit for a Wings’ game at the same distance and “see the play quite nicely.”

The primary issue for Pizzolitto was to have improved buffers or setbacks – similar to what is common at other nearby developments such as Huron Lodge or multi-level apartment buildings.

“We agree (the site plan) is what the developer is entitled to do,” he said. “But the others have more buffer and less impact on residents than this proposal.”

His wife Linda said the site chosen at St. Clair is just not the right parcel of land to become home to such a major complex as proposed by Schlegel.

“Perhaps the college has others, also Oakwood school just closed,” she said. “We agree the community needs this, we just feel it’s not the right parcel of land.”

She expressed fears about increased noise and traffic.

“There will be vehicles directly behind our house,” she said. “Our bedrooms in the back there will definitely be disruption. The space this is on is just not far enough (away).”

She also asked Stefanko that the proposed 10-story building, whenever it is constructed by Schlegel, to be limited to five storeys.

If Stefanko gives a favourable ruling, construction on the long-term care home could start about a month later, Schlegel said.

“We have gone to tender with trades already, so we are gearing up and ready to start subject to a favourable ruling,” he said.

The 256-bed first phase with two twin four-storey wings connected by a one-story common area will take about 20 months to complete.

The second phase that features the 10-storey building and $80-million price tag, won’t happen for at least five to 10 years, Schlegel said. It would include 160 more long-term beds and 60 apartments for seniors.

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